TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. - John Adams, The Works of John Adams, vol. 7 (Letters and State Papers 1777-1782) [1852]
Edition used:
The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: with a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations, by his Grandson Charles Francis Adams (Boston: Little, Brown and Co., 1856). 10 volumes. Vol. 7.
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- Official Letters, Messages, and Public Papers.
- Introductory Note.
- 28 Nov. 1777: The President of Congress to John Adams.
- 3 Dec. 1777: The President of Congress to John Adams.
- The Committee of Foreign Affairs to John Adams.
- To Henry Laurens, President of Congress.
- To the Committee of Foreign Affairs.
- Baron De Kalb to John Adams.
- ( Inclosed With the Foregoing. ) Baron De Kalb to the Comte De Broglie.
- Baron De Kalb to M. Moreau.
- 9 Jan. 1778: The Marquis De La Fayette to John Adams.
- The President of Congress to John Adams.
- To the Marquis De La Fayette.
- The Commissioners to M. De Sartine. 2
- To the Committee of Commerce.
- M. De Sartine to the Commissioners.
- The Commissioners to M. De Sartine.
- The Commissioners to the President of Congress.
- To the President of Congress.
- The Commissioners to the Committee of Foreign Affairs.
- M. De Sartine to the Commissioners. ( Translation. ) 1
- The Commissioners to M. De Sartine.
- The Commissioners to Count De Vergennes.
- The Commissioners to M. De Beaumarchais.
- The Commissioners to Count De Vergennes.
- To M. Le Ray De Chaumont.
- M. Le Ray De Chaumont to John Adams. ( Translation. )
- M. De Sartine to the Commissioners. ( Translation. )
- The Commissioners to M. De Sartine.
- The Commissioners to the President of Congress.
- To the American Prisoners In Forton, Plymouth, Or Elsewhere In Great Britain.
- To Ralph Izard.
- To Benjamin Franklin.
- Ralph Izard to John Adams.
- To Ralph Izard.
- Benjamin Franklin to John Adams.
- The Commissioners to William Lee.
- Ralph Izard to John Adams.
- The Commissioners to John Ross.
- The Commissioners to Count De Vergennes.
- To Ralph Izard.
- Arthur Lee to John Adams.
- To Arthur Lee.
- Arthur Lee to John Adams.
- M. Genet 1 to John Adams.
- The Committee of Foreign Affairs to John Adams.
- M. Genet to John Adams.
- The Commissioners to M. De Sartine.
- The Commissioners to M. Schweighauser.
- The Commissioners to the President of Congress.
- The Commissioners to M. De Sartine.
- The Commissioners to Count De Vergennes.
- To the President of Congress.
- The Commissioners to Dr. Price.
- The Commissioners to John Ross.
- 1 Jan. 1779: The Commissioners to Count De Vergennes.
- The Commissioners to John Lloyd and Others.
- To Count De Vergennes.
- Count De Vergennes to John Adams.
- To the Committee of Foreign Affairs.
- To M. De Sartine.
- To Count De Vergennes.
- Count De Vergennes to John Adams.
- To the Marquis De Lafayette.
- To Count De Vergennes.
- To the President of Congress.
- M. De Sartine to John Adams.
- Benjamin Franklin to John Adams.
- M. De Lafayette to John Adams.
- To Benjamin Franklin.
- Benjamin Franklin to John Adams.
- Benjamin Franklin to John Adams.
- ( Inclosed With the Preceding. ) M. De Sartine to Benjamin Franklin.
- Arthur Lee to John Adams.
- To Arthur Lee.
- To the President of Congress.
- To the President of Congress.
- To the President of Congress.
- To the Treasury Board.
- The Chevalier De La Luzerne to John Adams.
- The Chevalier De La Luzerne to Captain Chavagnes.
- M. De Marbois to John Adams.
- To M. De Sartine.
- To M. De La Luzerne.
- To M. De Marbois.
- The President of Congress to John Adams.
- To the President of Congress.
- 15 Feb, 1780: To the President of Congress.
- To the Marquis De Lafayette.
- To M. Genet.
- M. De Lafayette to John Adams.
- M. Genet to John Adams. ( Translation. )
- To the President of Congress.
- To M. Genet.
- To General Knox.
- To Captain Landais.
- To the President of Congress.
- Arthur Lee to John Adams.
- William Lee to John Adams.
- To the President of Congress.
- Arthur Lee to John Adams.
- To the President of Congress.
- Count De Vergennes to John Adams. ( Translation. )
- To Count De Vergennes.
- William Lee to John Adams.
- To Arthur Lee.
- To William Lee.
- To W. Carmichael.
- T. Digges to John Adams. ( Extract. )
- To the President of Congress.
- William Carmichael to John Adams.
- To Count De Vergennes.
- John Jay to John Adams.
- To M. Genet.
- Count De Vergennes to John Adams.
- W. Carmichael to John Adams. ( Without Date. )
- T. Digges to John Adams. ( Extract. )
- To M. Genet.
- M. Genet to John Adams.
- To M. Genet. 1
- From the Count De Vergennes.
- From the Count De Vergennes.
- To W. Carmichael.
- To Count De Vergennes.
- To John Jay.
- To T. Digges. 1
- To John Jay.
- To M. Genet.
- M. Genet to John Adams.
- To M. Genet.
- To the Count De Vergennes.
- Count De Vergennes to John Adams. ( Translation. )
- To Arthur Lee.
- M. Genet to John Adams.
- M. Genet to John Adams.
- To the President of Congress
- To Count De Vergennes.
- ( Extract Inclosed ) Richard Cranch to John Adams.
- To Count De Vergennes.
- ( Extract Inclosed. ) Elbridge Gerry to John Adams.
- Count De Vergennes to John Adams. ( Translation. 1 )
- To Count De Vergennes.
- To Count De Vergennes.
- To Benjamin Franklin.
- To Thomas Digges.
- Queries By B. Franklin.
- Answer to the Queries.
- To the President of Congress.
- To the President of Congress.
- To Thomas Jefferson.
- To B. Franklin.
- Count De Vergennes to John Adams. ( Translation. )
- To Count De Vergennes.
- To Count De Vergennes.
- ( Inclosed Extract. ) B. Rush to John Adams.
- William Lee to John Adams.
- The Committee of Foreign Affairs to John Adams.
- The Committee of Foreign Affairs to John Adams.
- To Count De Vergennes.
- David Hartley to John Adams.
- To Count De Vergennes.
- To William Lee.
- Count De Vergennes to John Adams. ( Translation. )
- To Count De Vergennes.
- To the President of Congress.
- Count De Vergennes to John Adams. ( Translation. )
- Observations On Mr. Adams’s Letter of 17th July, 1780. ( Translation. )
- To Count De Vergennes.
- Count De Vergennes to John Adams. ( Translation. )
- The President of Congress to John Adams.
- To the President of Congress.
- David Hartley to John Adams.
- To Benjamin Franklin.
- To John Luzac. 1
- To the President of Congress.
- Francis Dana to John Adams.
- To David Hartley.
- John Luzac to John Adams.
- To John Luzac.
- To the President of Congress.
- To the President of Congress.
- To M. Van Vollenhoven.
- From M. Van Blomberg.
- From M. Van Blomberg.
- From M. Mylius.
- Benjamin Franklin to John Adams.
- To M. Dumas.
- Twenty-six Letters Upon Interesting Subjects Respecting the Revolution of America, Written In Holland, In the Year Mdcclxxx
- To Mr. Calkoen.
- M. Bicker to John Adams. ( Translation. )
- Benjamin Franklin to John Adams.
- To Thomas Digges.
- To Benjamin Franklin.
- Baron Van Der Capellen to John Adams.
- Benjamin Franklin to John Adams.
- To Baron Van Der Capellen.
- To B. Franklin.
- To the President of Congress.
- The Committee of Foreign Affairs to John Adams.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- To M. Van Blomberg.
- From M. Van Blomberg.
- To M. Bicker.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- From M. Bicker. ( Translation. )
- To M. Bowens.
- ( Memorandum On the Foregoing Letter. )
- To M. Dumas.
- To M. Bicker.
- From M. Bicker. ( Translation. )
- To Commodore Gillon.
- To the President of Congress.
- To the President of Congress.
- To Baron Van Der Capellen.
- To M. John Luzac.
- To Benjamin Franklin.
- Baron Van Der Capellen to John Adams.
- To B. Franklin.
- To the President of Congress.
- To Baron Van Der Capellen.
- The Committee of Foreign Affairs to John Adams.
- To the President of Congress.
- The President of Congress to John Adams.
- Baron Van Der Capellen to John Adams.
- To the President of Congress.
- To the President of Congress.
- 1 Jan. 1781: The President of Congress to John Adams.
- Francis Dana to John Adams.
- To the President of Congress.
- The President of Congress to John Adams.
- To Francis Dana.
- To Baron Van Der Capellen.
- To M. Dumas.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- To M. Dumas.
- To Messrs. John De Neufville and Sons.
- To M. Dumas.
- To Francis Dana.
- To Benjamin Franklin.
- To M. Bicker.
- M. Bicker to John Adams.
- Benjamin Franklin to John Adams.
- To M. Bicker.
- To M. Dumas.
- To M. Dumas.
- A Memorial to the States-general. to Their High Mightinesses, the States-general of the United Provinces of the Low Countries.
- To the Prince De Galitzin, Minister of the Empress of Russia.
- To M. Van Berckel, First Counsellor Pensionary of the City of Amsterdam.
- To the Duc De La Vauguyon, Ambassador of France At the Hague.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- To Messrs. John De Neufville and Sons.
- To Francis Dana.
- The Duke De La Vauguyon to John Adams.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- To M. Dumas.
- To the President of Congress.
- To M. Dumas.
- To Francis Dana.
- To Messrs. John De Neufville and Sons.
- To John Jay.
- To the President of Congress.
- To B. Franklin.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- To the Duc De La Vauguyon.
- To B. Franklin.
- The Duc De La Vauguyon to John Adams.
- Francis Dana to John Adams.
- To Francis Dana.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- To Peter Van Bleiswyck.
- To M. Fagel.
- Memorial to Their High Mightinesses, the States-general of the United Provinces of the Low Countries.
- Memorial to the Prince of Orange.
- Benjamin Franklin to John Adams.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- To the Duke De La Vauguyon.
- To the President of Congress.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- To M. Dumas.
- To the President of Congress.
- To John Laurens.
- To the Duke De La Vauguyon.
- The Duc De La Vauguyon to John Adams.
- To the President of Congress.
- To the President of Congress.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- To M. Dumas.
- To Benjamin Franklin.
- To M. Dumas.
- To the President of the Assembly of the States-general.
- M. BÉrenger to John Adams.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- To M. BÉrenger.
- To the President of Congress.
- To the President of Congress.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- To Count De Vergennes. 1
- M. De Rayneval to John Adams. ( Translation. )
- To M. De Rayneval.
- To the President of Congress.
- Articles to Serve As a Basis to the Negotiation For the Reëstablishment of Peace. ( Translation. )
- To Count De Vergennes.
- Answer of the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, to the Articles to Serve As a Basis to the Negotiation For the Reëstablishment of Peace.
- To the President of Congress.
- To Count De Vergennes.
- Count De Vergennes to John Adams. ( Translation. )
- To Count De Vergennes.
- To Count De Vergennes.
- To Count De Vergennes.
- The Committee of Foreign Affairs to John Adams.
- (private. Partly In Cipher.)
- To the President of Congress.
- Benjamin Franklin to John Adams.
- (inclosed In the Preceding.) the President of Congress to John Adams.
- To the President of Congress.
- To B. Franklin.
- Francis Dana to John Adams.
- Benjamin Franklin to John Adams.
- The Committee of Foreign Affairs to John Adams.
- To B. Franklin.
- Benjamin Franklin to John Adams.
- Francis Dana to John Adams.
- To the President of Congress.
- George Washington to John Adams.
- Benjamin Franklin to John Adams.
- To the Duc De La Vauguyon.
- To the Duc De La Vauguyon.
- To John Jay.
- To Benjamin Franklin.
- To John Jay.
- To the President of Congress.
- To M. Dumas.
- The Duc De La Vauguyon to John Adams. ( Translation. )
- To John Luzac.
- To Francis Dana.
- John Jay to John Adams.
- To the President of Congress.
- To the Duke De La Vauguyon.
- The Duc De La Vauguyon to John Adams. ( Translation. )
- The Duc De La Vauguyon to John Adams. ( Translation. )
- 6 Jan, 1782: Baron Van Der Capellen to John Adams.
- To Baron Van Der Capellen.
- To the President of Congress.
- To B. Franklin.
- Benjamin Franklin to John Adams.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- David Hartley to John Adams.
- To B. Franklin.
- To M. De Lafayette.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- To John Jay.
- To the Duc De La Vaugyon.
- The Duke De La Vauguyon to John Adams. ( Translation. )
- To M. Bergsma.
- To M. De Lafayette.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- M. Dumas to John Adams. ( Without Date. )
- To M. Dumas.
- To Francis Dana.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- To John Luzac.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- T. Digges to John Adams.
- (inclosed In the Preceding.) D. Hartley to John Adams.
- To T. Digges.
- To M. Dubbledemutz.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- To Benjamin Franklin.
- M. De Lafayette to John Adams.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- Traduction De La Résolution De Leurs Nobles Et Grandes Puissances Les Seigneurs États De Hollande Et De West Frise.
- M. Dumas to John Adams. ( Copie De Ma Lettre à Notre Ami. )
- To Peter Van Bleiswyck.
- Baron Van Der Capellen to John Adams.
- T. Digges to John Adams.
- To M. De Lafayette.
- C. De Gyselaer to John Adams.
- Baron Van Der Capellen to John Adams.
- To M. Dubbledemutz.
- The Duc De La Vauguyon to John Adams.
- To the Duc De La Vauguyon.
- B. E. Abbema to John Adams.
- To M. Abbema.
- To J. U. Pauli.
- John Luzac to John Adams.
- To Benjamin Franklin.
- To Secretary Livingston. 1
- To Secretary Livingston.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- To M. Hodshon.
- Proposals For Opening a Loan.
- M. Dumas to John Adams.
- (the Two Following Letters Explain the Preceding.) Jacob Nolet to John Adams.
- Jacob Nolet to M. Dumas.
- To M. Dumas.
- Verbal Message of C. W. F. Dumas to the City of Schiedam.
- To B. Franklin.
- M. De Lafayette to John Adams.
- W. and J. Willink, Nic. and Jac. Van Staphorst, and De La Lande and Fynje to John Adams.
- To Francis Dana.
- To Messrs. W. and J. Willink, N. and J. Van Staphorst, and De La Lande and Fynje.
- Messrs. Willink and Others to John Adams.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- To Messrs. W. and J. Willink and Others.
- Messrs. Willink and Others to John Adams.
- To M. De Lafayette.
- To Messrs. Willink and Others.
- To John Hodshon.
- To B. Franklin.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- C. L. Beyma to John Adams.
- E. F. Van Berckel to John Adams. ( Extract. )
- To M. Van Berckel.
- John Jay to John Adams.
- M. Van Berckel to John Adams.
- To M. Van Berckel.
- To John Jay.
- To Messrs. Willink and Others.
- To Mr. Mazzei.
- To John Jay.
- To Henry Laurens.
- To John Jay.
- To Henry Laurens.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- Henry Laurens to John Adams.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- To Francis Dana.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- Robert Morris to John Adams.
- John Jay to John Adams.
- To M. De La Fayette.
- M. Cerisier to John Adams.
- M. De Lafayette to John Adams.
- To John Jay.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- To Francis Dana.
- Francis Dana to John Adams. ( Secret and Confidential. )
- J. G. Holtzhey to John Adams.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- To B. Franklin.
- To Jean George Holtzhey.
- Benjamin Franklin to John Adams.
- To Robert Morris.
- To Henry Laurens.
- To Secretary Livingston.
- To Robert Morris.
- To Francis Dana.
- Appendix.
- (a. P. 452.)
- Extrait De La Réponse De La Cour De France Aux Propositions Faites Au Sujet Du Rétablissement De La Paix Par Les Cours De Petersbourg Et De Vienne.
- Proposition.
- RÉponse.
- Projet De Réponse Aux Trois Cours Belligérantes.
- RÉponse (mutatis Mutandis).
- Réponse De Sa Majesté Très Chrétienne à La Réplique Des Deux Cours Impériales.
- Extract From the Answer of the Court of France to the Propositions Made On the Subject of the Reëstablishment of Peace By the Courts of Petersburg and of Vienna.
- Proposition.
- Answer.
- Project of an Answer to the Three Belligerent Courts.
- Answer (mutatis Mutandis).
- Answer of His Most Christian Majesty to the Reply of the Two Imperial Courts.
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Braintree, 4 November, 1779.
Sir,—
I had yesterday the honor of receiving your letter of the 20th of October, inclosed with two commissions, appointing me minister plenipotentiary from the United States to negotiate peace and commerce with Great Britain, together with instructions for my government in the execution of these commissions, copies of instructions to the ministers plenipotentiary at Versailles and Madrid, and two acts of congress of the 4th and 15th of October.
Peace is an object of such vast importance, the interests to be adjusted in the negotiations to obtain it are so complicated and so delicate, and the difficulty of giving even general satisfaction is so great, that I feel myself more distressed at the prospect of executing the trust, than at the thought of leaving my country, and again encountering the dangers of the seas and of enemies. Yet, when I reflect on the general voice in my favor, and the high honor that is done me by this appointment, I feel the warmest sentiments of gratitude to congress, and shall make no hesitation to accept it, and devote myself without reserve or loss of time to the discharge of it. My success, however, may depend, in a very great degree, on the intelligence and advices that I may receive from time to time from congress, and on the punctuality with which several articles in my instructions may be kept secret. It shall be my most earnest endeavor to transmit to congress the most constant and exact information in my power, of whatever may occur, and to conceal those instructions which depend in any measure on my judgment. And I hope I need not suggest to congress the necessity of communicating to me as early as possible their commands from time to time, and of keeping all the discretionary articles an impenetrable secret; a suggestion, however, that the constitution of that sovereignty which I have the honor to represent might excuse.
As the frigate has been some time waiting, I shall embark in eight or ten days at furthest. Your Excellency will please to present my most dutiful respects to congress, and accept my thanks for the polite and obliging manner in which you have communicated their commands.
I have the honor to be, &c.
John Adams.
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Paris, 15 February, 1780.
Sir,—
I have the honor to inform congress, that on the 9th of this month, and not before, I had the good fortune to arrive in this city from Ferrol (where I arrived on the 8th of December) with Mr. Dana, Mr. Thaxter, and the rest of the company in tolerable health, after a journey of near five hundred leagues, in the dead of winter, through bad roads and worse accommodations of every kind. We lost no time, more than was indispensable to restore our health, which was several times much affected and in great danger; yet we were more than twice as long in making the journey by land as we had been in crossing the Atlantic Ocean.
The next morning after our arrival in Paris, Mr. Dana and myself went out to Passy, and spent the day with his Excellency, Dr. Franklin, who did us the honor the next day to accompany us to Versailles, where we had the honor to wait on their Excellencies, the Count de Vergennes, M. de Sartine, and the Count Maurepas, with each of whom we had the honor of a short conference upon the state of public affairs. It is sufficient for me at present to say, in general, that I never heard the French ministry so frank, so explicit, so decided, as each of these was in the course of this conversation, in his declarations to pursue the war with vigor, and to afford effectual aid to the United States. I learned with great satisfaction that they are sending, under convoy, clothing and arms for fifteen thousand men to America; that seventeen ships of the line were already gone to the West Indies under M. de Guichen, and that five or six more at least are to follow, in addition to ten or twelve they have already there.
I asked permission of the Count de Vergennes to write to him on the subject of my mission, which he cheerfully and politely agreed to. I have accordingly written to his Excellency, and shall forward copies of my letter and of his answer as soon as it may be safe to do it.
The English are to borrow twelve millions this year, and it is said the loan is filled up. They have thrown a sop to Ireland, but have not appeased her rage. They give out exactly such threats as they did last year, and every other year, of terrible preparations. But congress knows perfectly well how these menaces have been accomplished. They will not be more fully executed the next year than the last, and if France and Spain should throw more of their force, especially by sea, into America the next year, America will have no essential injury to fear.
I have learned, since my arrival at Paris, with the highest pleasure, the arrival of M. Gérard, Mr. Jay, and Mr. Carmichael at Cadiz, for whose safety we had been under great apprehensions. I have now very sanguine hopes that a solid treaty will soon be concluded with Spain; hopes which every thing I saw and heard in that country seemed to favor.
The Alliance frigate, now under the command of Captain Jones, with Captain Cunningham on board, is arrived at Corunna, where she is to be careened, after which she is to return to Lorient, and from thence to go to America, as I am informed by Dr. Franklin.
Mr. Arthur Lee and Mr. Izard are still in Paris, under many difficulties in procuring a passage home. Mr. William Lee is at Brussels. Mr. Izard has been to Holland to obtain a passage from thence, but unfortunately missed his opportunity, and returned disappointed.
I have the honor to be, &c.
John Adams.
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